Agenda item

Nigel Carruthers, Senior Advisor Workforce Strategy & Consultancy, introduced the paper and updated the Fire Commission on in relation to the government’s apprenticeship policy and how it will impact on fire services.

The aim behind the policy is to provide young people with an alternative to higher education by creating long-term investment to support the development of apprenticeships. The levy will apply to employers with a bay bill in excess of £3million, it is assumed this will cover all Fire and Rescue Services. The levy can only be used to pay for apprenticeship training from government approved training providers.

The Enterprise Bill will give Ministers the power to set public sector organisations with 250 staff or more an apprenticeship recruitment target of 2.3% of the workforce headcount per year. There are no sanctions for failing to comply.

The LGA has opposed the apprenticeship levy because it creates a significant financial and reporting burden on the Fire and Rescue Service. There are opportunities to see how the FRS can maximise the invested levy funds.

One member stressed that their authority was in favour of the scheme and felt it was good for improving diversity within the service.

Decision

Members noted the update and agreed to feed in their views by email.

Action

Officers to progress in line with members feedback.